Millcreek to improve park and building access

Projects will provide easier access to parks, recreation and public services for people with disabilities.

Valerie Myers @ETNMyers

Millcreek Township has a four-year plan to make township parks and other public facilities more accessible.

The township plans to add or designate handicapped-accessible parking and provide accessible paths from parking areas to play areas, restrooms and other facilities at eight parks and at Asbury Barn, Erie Golf Course, the David Long athletic complex and elsewhere.

The Millcreek Township Municipal Building will also be made more accessible. Service counters at the building's main reception desk, in the police department and in other offices will be lowered to accommodate people in wheelchairs.

Handicapped-accessible parking spaces will be added outside the building, at 3608 W. 26th St., most of them west of the main entrance.

The improvements are part of a settlement agreement with Voices for Independence, which advocates for people with disabilities. The agency filed a lawsuit against the township and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in federal court in 2011 under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuit successfully argued that some sidewalks and curb ramps in the township limited wheelchair and pedestrian access. The township agreed to rebuild walks and ramps to make them ADA compliant.

The township additionally agreed to assess and improve accessibility at township buildings and parks. Accessibility Services, of the American Spinal Association, did the accessibility survey. Township supervisors on Tuesday approved a draft plan to address issues identified by the survey.

Some of the work already has been completed. Work at the township municipal building will be completed this year. Other projects will continue into 2020.

No work is planned at six township parks that offer only green space, township attorney Mark Shaw said.

"The plan is for structural changes that are necessary for program accessibility," Shaw said.

The draft "ADA transition plan" is posted on the township website at www.millcreektownship.com.

Supervisors will accept public comments on the plan until Oct. 6 and are expected to approve a final plan Oct. 10.

Valerie Myers can be reached at 878-1913 or by email. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNmyers.